Not the best of advice from a Christian blogger. Perhaps I should write about how to win friends and influence enemies, but I generally write what’s on my heart, and today this is it. How to Pick Your Battles.

There were years, perhaps decades, when I would not pick a battle, I wouldn’t pick a side. I hated division to the point that I would walk away from it without so much as a comment. But after salvation, something happened in me. I became very vocal on matters of faith and then I became very vocal on matters of the world and how they related to matters of faith. I try to be polite and respectful, and steer clear of subjects with certain people that make for tense conversations, but that cannot be helped sometimes. As a child of God, should we ever battle?

1 Corinthians 14:6-11 KJV

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? [7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? [9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. [10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. [11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

If this scripture is read in context, it of course is speaking in reference to tongues. But something Paul said to the Church of Corinth struck me this morning when I thought about mealymouthed Christians who are afraid to speak out on tough subjects. Paul said in verse 8, “If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”

I think that will preach.

As children of God the Bible is clear that we are set apart from the world and to live our lives focused on spiritual matters, but not ignorant of worldly things. We are not to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that things around us are wonderful when there is brimstone and ash falling from the sky. If you can look at the current condition of the United States of America and say that we’re in good shape, clearly you are of the ostrich persuasion.

I don’t believe God wants us to get a megaphone and stand on the street corner screaming to the top of our lungs that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. I don’t think He wants us to disrupt pleasant conversations with depressing political statistics and truths. But if there is a time and opportunity to share information with friends and family that will protect them from harms way, then we should take every opportunity. We should also be known as people of astute wisdom about current events, so that if something happens we can perhaps discuss and warn others about how it came to be.

I think about the days leading up to 911 and the destruction of the twin towers and the pentagon building. We could see the Islamic influence in America growing. There were those who warned us, but few listened – thinking we were like the unsinkable Titanic. Well of course the Titanic did sink and of course America was struck without notice. God hates arrogance. It is pride and it goes before the fall. Tell me of a more prideful Nation than America right now? It is boasting of sin and throwing it in the face of God and it will come back to bite us.

So… what battles do we choose to fight as children of God?

The Good Person

I was brought up to respect my elders. I have within me a great love for people of age. Especially since I’m becoming one. But people of age and authority have great influence and it’s not always good.

There are teachers in the public school system that are well educated people. Some would call them good or great, but the influence they have over our children is anything but good. If a teacher is permitted (and they are) to hang a pride flag in their classroom, and students see it day in and day out, whether they know it or not, those students become acceptant of that flag and what it stands for. They may believe it’s wrong, but they will not likely say that it is, for fear of persecution, ridicule, or even punishment for discrimination. For the few hours in the evening and weekends that their families are trying to instill Christian morals into them, there are “good teachers” undoing it all day everyday that the kids are in school.

This is when we as parents and grandparents have to be conscientious of what is happening in the classrooms of Calhoun County, or wherever you happen to be, and speak with our children about it daily. Ask them what they seen or heard at school today, if there was something that struck them odd, or questions they may have. Communication is key. That is why Paul said

1 Corinthians 14:19 KJV

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

If we are not clear with our children about what we believe and why we believe it, they’ll never understand why the things they’re hearing and seeing in school are wrong. Paul said that a few clear words were far better than ten thousand people can’t understand. Again and again we need to introduce children to the scriptures where God lays it out plainly that certain things are wrong and they are battles worth fighting.

The Politically Correct

Correct me if I’m wrong (which I’m not) but are Christians not suppose to believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God? Of course we are. And yet Christians everywhere are jumping onto the politically correct ways of the world and choosing unbiblical behaviors and calling them biblical because God is love and love never offends. Where did they get that idea?

It was no different in Paul’s day. A matter which Paul dealt with in Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:14-23 KJV

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

We have to get into our minds that Satan is playing for keeps with our families. He has every intention of keeping the souls of our family’s and friends. If your people are not saved, Satan already has control of them and he places people in their paths to make sure they stay his. One of the methods he is using is the ability to shut people up. Like using Political correctness, a tool of the devil in the hands of the government. How scary is that?

The Perception of Men

[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Because we are living in the flesh, I am here to tell you that my perceptions, any given day, can be so far off base from reality that my life is more like a cartoon that is being animated by me. Poorly drawn and bad acting. Men’s perceptions (and women’s) tend to favor that which advantages self. The same is true when it comes to the church of God which is ran by men. Men’s perceptions often times replace the Holy Spirit.

I had a preacher tell me one time that I should not listen to the voice in my mind because that wasn’t the Holy Spirit. My stomach literally rolled over. How else could I listen to God if He weren’t speaking to me through mind. Add to that thought from another preacher that I shouldn’t be involved in politics or watch the news because they were evil and filled with lives and we couldn’t make a difference in them, and my life was turned upside down. If I can’t make any difference in this world, why did God put me here and why did He put this passion and drive in me to make a difference?

One man’s perception almost took me out of God’s will. The men who said these things were not bad or evil men. But the perceived God’s word in a manner that was not revealed to me in the same way. If I took their word I would stop being effective for the cause of Christ and Satan would have won a battle that I wouldn’t have even known to fight.

But the Spirit stepped in. And revealed to me that the battle is the Lord’s and He takes no soldier out of the fight before their time.

All three of the aforementioned battles are not easy fights. But the are worthy fights.

In a split second their lives were forever changed. A local fifteen year old boy enjoying hunting in the hills of West Virginia, a rite of passage for our youth, suddenly found himself on the ground, paralyzed from a fall from his tree stand. Local paramedics and Fire Department crews were called to the scene and he was transported to the hospital where he remains today. He’s undergone surgery, setbacks, moves forward and likely frustration (although I’ve heard of none). Our small community has rallied around the family with prayers and financial support because his story has touched us deep within our souls. It’s an advantage of living where everyone may not know your name, but they likely know someone in your family.

Trevor Lynch is not able to go to school, but he’s learning about faith for the fight and he’s teaching us a few things we either didn’t know or have forgotten. The days following his fall he was scheduled for surgery and his friends and family gathered around him to encourage him but it was Trevor who did the encouraging as he prayed for the doctors before heading to the operating room. Can you imagine that at the age of 15? He’s constantly concerned about the folks back home, asking visitors to make sure everyone knows he’s okay. He’s a fifteen year old warrior in my mind and this morning brought me to the book of 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verse 12, to reflect on what I too stand in need of: “Faith for the Fight.”

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

It’s a praiseworthy fight

The good fight of faith and one worthy of praise for Travis. It’s been humbling to see Travis’ spirit through all of this tragedy. His parents encourage him and he’s anxious to see what God does with his life while he assures us that God is going to use him to do something awesome and I don’t doubt it! Such spiritual maturity in a young man. He could use your prayers, but not your pity. He’s hedged in for the battle that lies before him and he is a worthy adversary for Satan. I’ll bet Satan knows his room number and knocks on his door daily trying to thwart his progress.

When Paul wrote the letters to Timothy he encouraged him with the reminder that his battle was worthwhile. We all need the reminder every day that living for Jesus is worthy battle and one every believer must fight. Our degrees of battle are determined by God and He no doubt chose Travis for his heart of a lion. Some days I don’t have much more than the heart of a kitten; I’m ready to throw in the towel and we haven’t even got into the heat of the battle. But what I realize is when the battle gets full raging, God grants me the grace needed, but it’s up to me to come up with the praise. Our praise is like shovels of hot coal heaped onto Satan’s head preparing him for his future in Hell. It’s a reminder to him that God’s creation recognizes His omnipotence and purpose for our lives and the coals get that much hotter when Satan strikes a blow and God uses it for His glory!

It’s a planned fight

… whereunto thou art also called

Trevor believes, and we believe with him, that God’s purpose in this fight will be revealed. Although I usually spend most of my time whining, I have yet to go through a battle that in the end I did not see God’s divine hand doing some amazing work in me. How else would I have known how strong I was if God did not allow some pressure to be put on me occasionally. The pressure is usually a steering tool to get me onto a path and on a journey that had it not been for the heartache, I’d never have been on.

It’s a public fight

I often times wish it wasn’t. But as Paul told Timothy “he had professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Trevor’s family and friends update Trevor’s condition on a Facebook page titled “Love and Support for Trevor Lynch.” But it has been the words of Trevor that come trailing back to our community from visitors that encourage us in our own walk with Christ. Trevor’s journey is very public. When talking about what God’s plans were for his life Trevor announced that perhaps he’d be a preacher. He’s already preached more with his words of testimony than many preachers in America do in the pulpit on Sunday.

Please do pray for Trevor and if you can send him a word of encouragement. His battle is long but I am assured this morning that he is up for the fight.

Are you?